Eco-Design
With the 2005 Ecodesign Directive, the EU introduced the eco-design, also known as ecodesign or eco-design, of products. The aim of the Directive is to improve the environmental performance, energy efficiency and product life cycle in order to contribute to European climate change objectives. Manufacturers and designers will have to rethink the use of energy and resources from the selection of raw materials to the use of the items and their disposal. The Directive was improved in 2009 when binding minimum requirements for products were set.
Eco-design in the cycle
Eco-design should pave the way for more sustainability - the best waste is the waste that is not produced in the first place when the material is used in a cycle. Methods and strategies will become even more important for climate protection in the future. Ideally, every product should be kept in a cycle. Product design is at the heart of the closed-loop economy so that products and materials can be used for as long as possible. Ecological and sustainable design is already practice in many companies. There is a lot of potential for the development of designer furniture in this area.
Eco-Design and the customer
Buying what you like: That is why the evaluations and attitudes of potential customers towards ecological products are decisive. The BMU (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety) regularly deals with this complex of issues. The key to sustainable consumption is good products that are more durable, of higher quality and more attractive - also in terms of design.
Recycling and office chairs
An example of thoughtful eco-design is the Vitra MedaPal office swivel chair with or without lumbar support, which is ecological by its very timeless design and comes with a 10-year guarantee. The office chair itself consists of 35% recycled material and is 94% recyclable. It is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality certified (strict limits for chemical emissions) and has been awarded the Blue Angel eco-label, which identifies particularly environmentally friendly products.
